Charros in Jalisco ©CPTM/Foto: Ricardo Espinosa-reo
G UA DA L A JA RA C U LT U R A L D I V E R S I T Y I N M E X I C O ’ S S E C O N D - L A R G E S T C I T Y
Guadalajara is Mexico’s second-largest city and the capital of the state of Jalisco. It follows that this is a thriving, buzzing metropolis, at the forefront of Mexico’s development into one of the world’s most dynamic countries. It is both a historical and cultural centre as well as a technological hub, where visitors can find both the rustic charms of colonial-era Mexico within a short walk of sleek, modern, high-end developments. There are numerous distinctive neighbourhoods all contained within one city and each with its own characteristic atmosphere. Guadalajara offers the visitor the chance to sample a great diversity
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of attractions; to pack a day full of sightseeing and culture, fine dining and luxurious accommodation. Or you can simply immerse yourselves fully in contemporary city living: absorbing the energy of the 1.5 million residents as you meander among them. The city of Guadalajara was founded in 1532 and quickly established itself at the heart of the region’s trade and agriculture. The city really began to boom during the late 18th century, as Mexico gradually wriggled free of Spanish colonial rule. There was a population explosion and a new university opened in 1792, drawing the brightest people of the land to its art, theology, law and medicine faculties. Traders similarly began to prosper
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even more, gathering the wares produced by the farmers surrounding the city before exporting them far and wide. As Mexico found its feet as an independent nation, Gudalajara continued to thrive. Improving transport links to the United States made it an increasingly attractive destination for businesses and vacationers alike. With such a storied history, the cultural scene in contemporary Guadalajara is second to none in the country. The many plazas and courtyards, as well as the streets themselves, are frequently transformed into the setting for music and performance. More formally, the city’s magnificent Teatro Degollado—a beautiful neoclassical theatre and
